Bob Jones University

What is the deal why this college is always picked on? I know nothing about, wondering if some could shed some light about the college? is it because it is a Christian college?

I know a little more about this college than most on here because it takes me exactly 60 minutes to get there from my house. I know a lot of people who went to BJU, and BJU is particularly known to homeschool families as a great source for Biblically based homeschool curriculums.

First Bob Jones, Sr is dead. Has been dead since 1968.

Secondly Bob Jones, Jr is dead. Has been dead since 1997.

So we're talking 3 generations ago when BJU was founded. For those not from the south I do not expect you to understand or have any tolerance for what I am about to say... but bear with me.

In the 1920's in TN there was what was called "The Scopes Trial", which is what introduced evolution to the public schools, and basically what started driving God out of the public schools.

Bob Jones saw this and founded BJU as a result, to maintain a Christian, Biblical education.

Was Jone's a racist? By todays standards, yes. But also keep in mind that in the early part of the 1900's, in the south more so than anywhere else, people were raised to believe that God mandated segregation of the races. This was the culture.

Obviously it was wrong. I do not agree with that one bit.

But before y'all jump on BJU for not admitting blacks back in the 1920's, remember that most colleges and universities (including Christian colleges) did not admit blacks at that time. All of the public schools in this country were segregated as well. NORTH AND SOUTH.

BJU did fight to maintain their segregation, and they did so because they misinterpretted scripture. However, during the Civil Rights Movement our government began to force segregation, and eventually BJU did begin to accept minorities.

Just like many other colleges and universities, Christian and secular.

One particular policy they did hold to was no interracial dating among students. I know many people who do not believe the races should mix. I dont agree with them. I am Scottish, Irish, English... and Cherokee. I always get a chuckle out of letting these folks know, after they have gleefully given me their "perspective" that guess what! I'm mixed race!

These are brothers and sisters in Christ who are not being racist, but are simply trying to obey a passage or two of scripture which they have misunderstood. Who among us has never done that?

Anyway, back in 2000 when President GW Bush was running for office he gave a campaign speech at BJU. The poopoo hit the fan in the media about BJU not allowing interracial dating. The media tried to paint Bush as a racist for even speaking at BJU... yadda yadda... and in the midst of the firestorm, BJU renounced the policy and removed it completely.

It's too bad it took a national firestorm for them to right a wrong, and it does make one question their sincerity, but the fact is... they do accept minorities, and they no longer forbid interracial dating.

The people I know who attended BJU are serious, bible believing Christians. They love the Lord, they come out of BJU fired up and ready for ministry.

BJU does not allow women to wear pants, and they have a skirt length policy. They do not allow contemporary Christian music. The men have to wear dockers and polo shirts for classes... in other words, you could take your children to the campus and not worry one bit that they might see something they shouldnt.

Men and women are not allowed to show public displays of effection other than holding hands. When they sit together in the lounges there must be a certain amount of space between them.

Seem extreme? Well... it works for them. Better than what I saw when I was attending the University of Tennessee!

So before everyone jumps on the band wagon and starts bashing BJU, please get the facts. I dont agree with everything they've done in the past. But in the south, in the early part of the 1900's, it doesnt surprise me one bit that they started out the way they did.

But I see the fruit of BJU now in the people I know who have attended there. The fruit is good.

I dont expect someone who's family has always lived in California to understand anything I wrote. I especially dont expect someone from New England to understand anything I wrote. But it would be nice if you could slow down and try to understand.

And for the record... I am NOT defending Bob Jones, Sr, OR segregation in any way, shape or form.

Krispy

By the way, they have a fantastic art museum on the campus that is open to the public. If you ever get to Greenville SC you HAVE to stop in there. It is the second largest disply of religious art in the world... only the Vatican is bigger. Some of the art is much older than the Rennasaince. I've been twice and I still havent seen all of it... I get two thirds of the way thru and they come and say "Sir, I have to ask you to leave, we need to lock up in 3 minutes."

Also check out their campus bookstore too. You won't find Rick Warren's stuff there... lol

Krispy

Thanks Krispy...That sheds a lot of light on the subject for me. I plan on meeting the pastor in a couple of weeks to see the plans for the church plant. It sounds like they maybe a bit to conservative for my wife. She doesn't wear dresses, slacks and jean kinda girl. So they may not approve. I do like the aspect of homeschooling though, actually my dear friends are looking into there curriculum.

Mike

The "dresses only" for women students is a University rule only. Now, there may be some who come out of there that hold on to that, but in all honesty, the BJU grads that I know do believe in dressing modestly, but they are not nearly as conservative as BJU on that. I dont think you'll have a problem.

Look at it this way, if they (BJU) didnt have a relatively strict dress code it wouldnt take long before the students began pushing the limits of modesty. Kinda one of those "how close can you get to the fire" sorta things. BJU isnt there to teach people how to dress, it's there to prepare people for ministry... so their dress code simply prevents them from having to deal with the issue when they could be worrying about other things.

Krispy

Heck... where I come from we always thought interracial dating/marriage was when an Earnhardt fan and a Gordon fan fell in love!

Krispy

I'm a casual dress kinda guy... I usually teach in our home fellowships wearing jeans and a football jersey. BUT, there is something to be said for dress codes in certain situations. It is a fact... people behave differently when they are dressed nicely. It's a respect thing.

I remember a few Veteran's Days ago the homeschoolers in this area were scheduled to lead the Pledge of Allegiance... and 80% showed up in jeans and t-shirts. I was so disgusted by it I wrote a brief article in the next home school newsletter for our association explaining how sloppy they looked and how disrespectful I thought it was.

Thanx to me, we get half as many homeschoolers (some parents were mad at me... whats new?)... but the ones who do come are dressed for the occasion.

Krispy